Telescoping chair riser structure



Feb. 25, 1969 c. G. ROBINSON ET AL 3,429,081

l'I'EI-:ESCQPING CHAIR RISER STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 2o, 1964 sheet ors d" x C INvENToRS n 22 N CLAube @.Romson RoeERT McCLeLLANu ATroRNeY N o rm Feb. 25, 1969 C, GI ROBINSON ET AL 3,429,081

TELESCOPING CHAIR RISEB STRUCTURE n im 5 I I I I l I I l l l I l II L .m www. Nrh E .VKM t ET h DR s um M A O l QR 0l Y B N .GFL

QN dw xv w m uw. u A d e n F ATTORNEY Y Feb- 25, 1969 c. G. ROBINSON ET AL 3,429,031

TELESCOPING CHAIR RISER STRUCTURE United States Patent 3,429,081 TELESCOPING CHAIR RISER STRUCTURE Claude G. Robinson, Whitefish Bay, and Robert McClelland, Butler, Wis., assignors to Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 390,885

U.S. Cl. 52-9 13 Claims Int. Cl. Eil-ih 3/12; A47c J/12, 4/00 This invention relates to a telescoping seating structure and particularly to a telescoping chair riser structure having a plurality of sections which can be telescoped one within the other for use in auditoriums and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a telescoping structure which is adaptable for mounting chair type seats thereon and which can be readily retracted without removing the seats therefrom.

Another object is to provide a chair riser structure having a riser channel arrangement of improved design which functions to provide support for the platform members and a degree of structural support to the unit and also serves to effectively prevent objects from falling beneath the unit while at the same time allowing free circulation of air through the structure. Such chair riser members also serve to prevent light from shining directly into the auditorium area from beneath the seating structure.

Another object is to provide a telescoping structure having a telescoping top row construction to facilitate storage and an improved brake mechanism for retaining the structure in extended position.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or may be apparent from the description and claims, as will obvious modications of the single embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

FIGS. l-A and l-B, when taken together, represent a side elevation view of the telescoping seat structure embodying this invention in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the structure shown in FIGS. l-A and l-B (with parts broken away);

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the top portion of the telescoping seat structure shown in FIG. l-A but with the top row in retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 7-7 of FIG. l-B; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGS. l-A and l-B, when taken together, show one complete chair riser assembly in its extended position for seating spectators thereon. The structure includes a plurality of sections identied on the drawings by letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G. While seven sections are included in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and described hereinafter, it should be understood that either more or less sections could be employed depending on the particular environment involved. Similarly, while only a pair of telescoping chair riser assemblies is shown (FIG. 2), a typical installation will generally include several units (each unit comprising four assemblies) spaced sideby-side along the Walls of an auditorium for example with each unit adapted for independent operation.

The various sections of the assembly are of generally similar construction with each successive section being of a diiferent height so that. they will nest together when ICC retracted. Each section includes at least a pair of spaced horizontal carriage members 10 adapted for supporting the various sections as will be described. As-shown in FIGS. LA and l-B, each carriage member 10 has a vertical column assembly 12 comprising a pair of spaced angles 14, 14 fastened to the channels and reinforced by web angles 16. The pairs of carriage members 10 are interconnected to provide a self-supporting structure by angle braces 18 welded to plates 19 which in turn are bolted to the rear of column assemblies 12 and channel braces 20 and 22 attached across the rear upper portion and the front lower portion of the structure, respectively. Support for the seating platforms and further structural support for the sections are provided by pairs of back and front riser channels 36 and 38 as will be explained hereinafter.

To each column 12 is fastened a horizontal channel or arm 24 extending forwardly from the columns and parallel to carriage members 10 at the desired height depending on the particular section involved.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of oppositely facing back and front riser channels 36 and 38, respectively. Back riser channel 36 is fastened across the front of columns 12 on the portion of such columns which extend above the level of channels 24. Front riser channels 38 are fastened across the front portion of channels 24. The channels 36, 38 of adjacent sections are positioned so that the flanges thereof face each other as shown in FIG. 5 and with the lower portion of channel 38 overlapping with the upper portion of channel 36. Channels 36, 38 serve rst to support platform members 26 thereon with members 26 supported between the lower flange of channel 36 and the upper ange of channel 38 of each section. They also serve to provide some lateral support to each section. In addition, the channels as mounted above provide a substantially closed structure to thus prevent objects falling from platforms 26 down underneath the seat assembly where they would be dilicult to retrieve. By overlapping the channels and spacing them apart slightly as shown in FIG.. 5, air is allowed to freely circulate through the structure as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5 and thus heating and cooling of the auditorium or similar building in which the seating structure is installed is greatly facilitated. Furthermore, the overlapping arrangement also prevents light from shining directly into the auditorium area from beneath the seating structure which might otherwise interfere with or detract from the use of special lighting effects in the auditorium.

Each section of the chair riser assembly is supported for extending and retracting rolling movement by two pairs of wheels 30, 30 mounted between the legs of the channel-shaped carriage members 10. Rows of foldable chair units 28 are mounted on platform members 26 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. l-A.

As shown in FIG. 2, each pair of carriage members for sections B-G are spaced so that each successive section going from front to rear ts inside the next section. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. l-A and l-B, the platform height of each successive section going from rear to front decreases so that as each section is rolled rearwardly, it will nest underneath and between its next adjacent section to the rear. Section A, it is noted, does not retract in the same manner as the other sections, but instead is disconnected from the structure by removing wing units 39 as shown in FIG. l-B.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show how the channels 24 of one section are supported on the top of columns 12 of the next adjacent sections to the front when the sections are extended for use. As shown when the structure is in its unloaded position, there is a slight clearance between the lower surface of each channel 24 and the top web angle 16 of each column 12. Thus with the parts so positioned, the structure can be readily extended and retracted without any interference between the channels 24 and columns 12. As soon as a load is applied to the structure, however, channels 24 will deflect slightly and rest on and be supported by columns 12. Thus, with the structure in extended position the live load on platforms 26 will be supported between front and back channel risers 36 and 38 with the load on front riser 38 being transferred though horizontal channels 24 -to the top of columns 12. Keeper brackets 34 are provided to maintain proper alignment of the parts when the structure is extended and retracted and also serve to resist sideward movement of the unit.

It should be noted at this point that the vertical depth of back and front riser channels 36 and 38 (and the amount of overlap therebetween) is arranged so that chair units 28 in their folded down position will clear the bottom ange of channels 38 when the seating structure is retracted.

Another important feature of this invention is the Vertically telescoping top seat platform 40 on the rearward section G of the seat structure. In most installations it is desirable that the top platform be vertically adjustable so that in use it can be positioned level with a permanent balcony structure and then lowered to permit the entire unit to be retracted and rolled under the balcony for storage. As shown in FIGS. l-A, 3 and 4, the ltelescoping platform structure of this invention is comprised of a chair mounting platform member 42 mounted on channels 44 which in turn are fastened to a plurality of vertically extending tubes 46 mounted for vertical sliding movement in support brackets 48 fastened to the column 12 of section G. The platform structure is actuated up and down by an actuating lmechanism comprising pairs of link members 50, 52 actuated from a common drive shaft 54 which runs the entire length of the seat structure as shown in FIG. 2 and is journaled in spaced bearings 56 fastened to the rear of section G. Short links 50 are fixed to shaft 54 and are pivotally connected to offset links 52 which in turn are pivotally connected to brackets 58 fastened to the lower ends of tubes 46. Shaft 54 is actuated by means of a crank 60 from the front of the section as shown in FIG. 4. Crank 60 is adapted for engagement with a rod 62 which in turn drives a chain 64 through a gear box 66 mounted beneath the platform 26 of section G. Chain 64 is mounted between sprockets 68 and 70 on gear box 66 and shaft 54, respectively. Thus, when it is desired to raise platform structure 40 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. l-A, crank 60 is inserted in place as shown in FIG. 4 and the crank is turned in a direction which will rotate links 50 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. It will be noted that when links t) and 52 reach the fully extended position (FIG. l-A) the pivot point 71 between the links will have moved slightly past (toward the front of the section) the axis of shaft 54 to thus lock the parts in the extended position and thus prevent any tendency of the platform structure to retract without further reverse actuation of crank 60. This also insures that the live load on the platforms 26 will be transmitted directly through the links 50 and 52 to the shaft 54 and thus prevents such loads from being imposed on chain 64 and sprockets 68 and 70.

It will also be noted that platform structure 40 is provided with a folding panel which is in effect a large hinge consisting of three joints 76, 78 and 80 and two panels 72 and 74. The folding panel is fastened to platform 42 and 26 so that as platform 42 is lowered, the panel will fold flat as shown in FIG. 3. Thus when the platform 42 is raised to position shown in FIG. l-A, the panel will form a vertical wall to prevent objects from falling beneath the structure and also prevent light from passing between platform 24 and 26.

Another important feature of this invention is the brake structure 82 mounted on section B and shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The purpose of brake 82 is to firmly maintain the seat structure in any given position (either partially or fully extended) and thus prevent any tendency of the structure to be retracted while in use. The brake 82 is comprised of a vertical rod 84 slidably mounted in a support bracket 86 fastened to the top of a carriage member 10. Rod 84 is provided with a floor engaging shoe member 88 fitted on the lower end thereof and is held in disengaged position by a spring 90 acting between bracket 86 and a shoulder 92 xed to the rod 84. The brake is set by means of a rotatably mounted cam member 94 mounted adjacent the top end 96 of rod 84. Cam 94, when rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 8, will force rod 84 downwardly causing shoe 88 to engage the floor and thus set the brake. The braking movement of cam 94 is limited by a shoulder 98 formed on the cam so that a controlled braking movement is provided. The means for rotating cam 94 is comprised of a shaft 100 on which the cam is fixedly mounted. Shaft 100 is journaled beneath platform 26 of section B by brackets 102, 102 and is positioned for actuation from the front of the section through an opening 104 by means of a suitable handle or crank (not shown).

While no apparatus is shown in the drawings or described above for locking (and unlocking) the adjacent sections to each other, it should be understood that the seating structure of this invention will generally be equipped with a suitable row lock mechanism such as that shown in Robert E. Puestow application Ser. No. 29,853, tiled May 18, 1960, now Patent No. 3,157,916, and assigned to the assignee of this application.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A telescoping seating structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of:

a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns adapted to be supported on the top of the columns of the next adjacent section toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended position;

a first riser member mounted between the upper portions of said vertical columns;

a second riser member mounted between the forward ends of Said horizontally extending arms, said rSt and second riser members positioned so that the first riser member of one section overlaps the second riser member of the next adjacent section to the rear and the second riser member of said one section overlaps the first riser member of the next adjacent section to the front when the sections are in extended position; and

a spectator supporting platform member supported between said first and second riser members.

2. A telescoping seating structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement lbetween retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns adapted to be supported on the top of the columns of the next adjacent section toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended position;

a first riser member mounted between the upper portions of said vertical columns;

a second riser member mounted between the forward ends of said horizontally extending arms, said first and second riser members being channel members with the flanges of said second riser channel facing the rear and the flanges of said first riser channel facing the front; and

a spectator supporting platform member supported between said first and second riser members.

3. A telescoping seating structure according to claim 2 in which said platform members are supported between the lower flange of said first riser member and the upper flange of said second riser member of each section.

4. A telescoping seating structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of:

a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns adapted to be supported on the top of the columns of the next adjacent section toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended position;

a first riser member mounted between the upper portions of said vertical columns;

a second riser member mounted between the forward ends of said horizontally extending arms;

a spectator supporting platform member supported between said first and second riser members; and

an additional spectator supporting member mounted on the top of the vertical columns of the rearmost section of the seating structure, said additional spectator supporting member adapted for vertical movement with respect to such columns, an actuating means for raising and lowering said additional spectator supporting member.

5. A telescoping seating structure according to claim 4 in which said actuating means includes a drive shaft, a first link member fixed to said shaft and a second link member pivotally connected to said first link at one end thereof and operatively connected to said additional spectator support member at its other end.

6. A telescoping seating structure according to claim 5 in which said pivot point between said first and second link members will move to an overcenter relationship with respect to said drive shaft when said additional spectator support member is raised to its fully extended position to thereby lock said support member in extended position.

7. A telescoping seating structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of:

a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns positioned to extend over the tops of the vertical columns of the next adjacent section to the front;

said horizontal arms of one unit positioned at a slightly higher elevation than the top of the vertical columns of the next adjacent section to the front so that said arms and columns can move freely with respect to each other when the structure is in an unloaded condition, said arms adapted to deflect into contact with said columns when a load is applied to the structure in extended position;

cross-support structure mounted between said vertical columns and horizontal arms of each section, said cross-support structure including a first riser member mounted between the upper portions of said vertical columns and a second riser member mounted between the ends of said horizontal arms, said first and second riser members positioned so that the first riser member of one section overlaps the second riser member of the next adjacent section to the rear, and the second riser member of said one section overlaps the first riser member of the next adjacent section to the front when the sections are in extended positions; and

a spectator supporting member supported on said crosssupport structure.

8. A telescoping seating structure according to claim 7 in which said first and second riser members are channels with the fianges of said second riser channel facing the rear and the anges of said first riser channel facing the front.

9. A telescoping chair riser structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of:

a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns adapted to be supported on the top of the columns of the next adjacent section to the front when the structure is in extended position;

a first riser member mounted between the upper portions of said Vertical columns;

a second riser member mounted between the forward ends of said horizontally extending arms;

a platform member mounted between said first and second riser members;

a plurality of foldable chairs mounted on the platform member of each section, said first and second risers of adjacent sections spaced and dimensioned to permit said foldable chairs mounted on said platform members to pass beneath the platform members of the next adjacent section to the rear when the sections are retracted; and

an additional spectator supporting member mounted on the top of the vertical columns of the rearmost section of the seating structure, said additional spectator supporting member adapted for vertical movement with respect to such columns, and actuating means for raising and lowering said additional supporting member.

10. A telescoping chair riser structure according to claim 9 in which said actuating means includes a drive shaft, a first link member fixed to said shaft and a second link member pivotally connected to said first link at one end thereof and operatively connected to said additional spectator support member at its other end.

11. A telescoping chair riser structure according to claim 10 in which said pivot point between said first and second link members will move to an overcenter relationship with respect to said drive shaft when said additional spectator support member is raised to its fully extended position to thereby lock said support member in extended position.

12. A telescoping seating structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of:

a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns adapted to be supported on the top of the columns of the next adjacent section toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended position;

a first load bearing member mounted on said vertical columns and extending between the upper portions thereof, said first load bearing member having a support surface thereon extending substantially the length thereof;

a second load bearing member mounted on said horizontally extending arms and extending between the forward ends thereof, said second load bearing member having a support surface thereon extending substantially the length thereof, said support surfaces of said first and second load bearing members positioned at substantially the same elevation;

a horizontally disposed spectator supporting platform member extending between said first and second load bearing members and supported on the respective support surfaces of said first and second load bearing members; and

said first load bearing member having a closure portion thereon extending vertically upwardly from said support surface thereon, said closure portion operative to prevent objects from falling from the rear of said platform member down underneath Said seating structure.

13. A telescoping seating structure including a plurality of sections adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions wherein each of such sections is comprised of z a pair of wheeled carriage members;

a vertical column on each of said carriage members;

a horizontally extending arm on each of said columns adapted to be supported on the top of the columns of the next adjacent section toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended lposition;

a first load bearing member mounted on said vertical columns and extending between the upper portions thereof, said rst load bearing member having a support surface thereon extending substantially the length thereof;

a second load bearing member mounted on said horizontally extending arms and extending between the forward` ends thereof, said second load bearing member having a support surface thereon extending substantially the length thereof, said support surfaces of said rst and second load bearing members positioned at substantially the same elevation;

a horizontally disposed spectator supporting platform member extending between said first and second load bearing members and supported on the respective support surfaces of said first and second load bearing members; and

said first and second load bearing members having vertically extending closure portions thereon which together are operative to prevent objects from falling from the rear of said platform member down underneath said seating structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,183,056 12/1939 Albach 52-9 2,817,389 l2/1957 Richards 52-8 2,877,507 3/1959 Walworth 52-10 2,983,968 5/1961 Wurn 52-183 X 3,025,106 3/1962 Evans 52-9 X 3,069,733 12/ 1962 Murphy 52-10 3,077,642 2/1963 Forsythe 182-132 X 3,088,176 5/1963 Delf 52-9 3,195,191 7/1965 Weisewander 52-122 JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-183 

12. A TELESCOPING SEATING STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN RETRACTED AND EXTENDED POSITIONS WHEREIN EACH OF SUCH SECTIONS IS COMPRISED OF: A PAIR OF WHEELED CARRIAGE MEMBERS; A VERTICAL COLUMN ON EACH OF SAID CARRIAGE MEMBERS; A HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING ARM ON EACH OF SAID COLUMNS ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED ON THE TOP OF THE COLUMNS OF THE NEXT ADJACENT SECTION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE SEATING STRUCTURE WHEN THE STRUCTURE IS IN EXTENDED POSITION; A FIRST LOAD BEARING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID VERTICAL COLUMNS AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE UPPER PORTIONS THEREOF, SAID FIRST LOAD BERING MEMBER HAVING A SUPPORT SURFACE THEREON EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH THEREOF; A SECOND LOAD BERING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING ARMS AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE FORWARD ENDS THEREOF, SAID SECOND LOAD BEARING MEMBER HAVING A SUPPORT SURFACE THEREON EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH THEREOF; SAID SUPPORT SURFACES OF SIAD FIRST AND SECOND LOAD BEARING MEMBERS POSITIONED AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME ELEVATION; A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SPECTATOR SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOAD BEARING MEMBERS AND SUPPORTED ON THE RESPECTIVE SUPPORT SURFACES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOAD BEARING MEMBERS; AND SAID FIRST LOAD BEARING MEMBER HAVING A CLOSURE PORTION THEREON EXTENDING VERTICALLY UPWARDLY FROM SAID SUPPORT SURFACE THEREON, SAID CLOSURE PORTION OPERATIVE TO PREVENT OBJECTS FROM FALLING FROM THE REAR OF SAID PLATFORM MEMBER DOWN UNDERNEATH SAID SEATING STRUCTURE. 